Sunderland 1 Wolves 3: Mick's just a big softie

MICK McCARTHY left the Stadium of Light on Saturday with Wolves’ survival prospects massively enhanced – but his own reputation in tatters.

And he can blame Jody Craddock for letting the cat out of the bag.

For the self-styled ‘Mr Grumpy’ is really a loveable, big-hearted softie and a barrel of laughs in the dressing room. McCarthy has earnestly crafted a reputation for straight-talking, no-frills management and woe betide anyone who steps out of line.

So you can imagine the scene in the dressing room after an appalling 45 minutes by the visitors, who somehow went in level at 1-1. Right?

Well, er, wrong actually. There was no rollicking, the tea cups stayed on the tray and there was probably more industrial language heard in the concourse queues for a half-time pint.

Just a few words of encouragement and a tactical switch turned potential catastrophe into a win which should secure Wolves a third successive Premier League season.

Injury-ravaged Sunderland had outclassed their opponents and Stephane Sessegnon’s well-executed equaliser was scant reward for their enterprise after ex-Black Cat Craddock had marked his return by volleying in the opening goal.

McCarthy had put his own head on the line by axing England rookie Matt Jarvis for the Black Country derby six days earlier and victory against West Brom ensured another dose of bench duty for the winger.

However, his decision to introduce Jarvis for the second half proved inspirational, with Steven Fletcher the chief beneficiary.

He became the first Wolves striker since John Richards in 1980 to reach double figures for a top-flight campaign, with the crucial second in the 53rd minute.

When George Elokobi, who must have been a candidate for withdrawal after a shocking first half, headed in the clincher, it condemned Sunderland to their seventh home defeat since Boxing Day.

It also brought McCarthy his first- ever Premier League win at his former home – not that he was making a song and dance about the fact.

“I don’t bother about all that bulls**t,” he said in trademark fashion.

“Everyone’s got a stat or an angle, whether it’s Robert Plant being here or the fact I never won in the Premier League here.

“I had the best time here, winning loads of games. I got into the play-offs and then won the Championship without a pot to p**s in or a window to throw it out of. Then, I was given even less again.

“But I loved my time here and when I left, it was with my head held up.

“I think there was a good feeling towards us because I think most people would say, “If we’re going to lose to anyone, it would be to you”.

“I have just seen Niall Quinn and I think his quote was, ‘If any one ugly b*****d was going to beat us, I’m glad it was you’.”

That’s a taste of the image McCarthy likes to show the football world but it’s a misleading one according to Craddock.

“Everyone knows Mick is honest, straight down the line and tells you exactly what he thinks,” said the centre-half.

“Maybe he may come across as grumpy, but not to us.

“The gaffer is the person we look to when we are down in the dumps.

“His mood can rub off on us and as we cannot pick ourselves up all the time, he, along with (assistant) Terry Connor, do their jobs.

“They help us get in the right frame of mind and upbeat.”

Neither McCarthy nor any of his players believe Wolves are completely safe yet.

But if cool heads are the criteria for survival, they should have an edge on their rivals.

“We need something from our last game so it’s another massively important one,” added Craddock.

“But we have been down there all season and are used to being there so it hasn’t fazed us. It’s not a case of suddenly dropping down and beginning to panic.”

Panic was everywhere in a Sunder- land rearguard which has creaked alarmingly in recent weeks.

This was the third time in four games they had leaked three goals at home and while injuries have been the key reason behind the Black Cats’ wretched form, Steve Bruce knows the problems run deeper than lack of manpower.

“Without so many first-teamers, it’s like going to war with a pop gun,” he said.

“But even with our injuries, I accept we should be taking more from home games against Wolves, Fulham and West Brom.

“In all those games, we simply ran out of juice. Our energy levels have not been right and that is something to address.

“I know with everyone fit this could have been a great season, but unfortunately it has turned into one of those horrible runs which has left a bad taste.

“But I think this will all be forgotten about next year when hopefully we have a clean decking and can start all over again.”